Lebanon President Aoun Visits South Amid Israeli Strikes

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun made an unannounced visit to Nabatiyeh in southern Lebanon, accompanied by security officials, to express solidarity with residents and medical workers amid renewed Israeli attacks. The visit followed Israel’s capture and demolition of underground Hezbollah fortifications on the nearby Ali al-Taher ridge, while Israeli strikes in the region have reportedly killed at least 29 people in recent days, including members of one family. Lebanon’s army has expanded its presence in Nabatiyeh and warned that the Israeli operations threaten a U.S.-brokered framework calling for Hezbollah’s disarmament, an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the deployment of Lebanese forces. Aoun said Lebanon remains committed to the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the return of displaced people and reconstruction, while reports differed on whether he ruled out immediate negotiations or simply reaffirmed those national priorities. The next round of U.S.-brokered Israel-Lebanon talks has been postponed until October, and Hezbollah continues to reject direct negotiations with Israel.